Walsall’s James Beech jr took on the current WBC International Super Bantamweight champ Chris Bourke at SSE Arena Wembley (24,7,21). The fight was for the WBC title and would be contested over 10 rounds with both fighters weighing in at 8 stone 9. Beech jr who is a two-weight Midlands area champion has only lost once in 13 fights with his only defeat coming against Brad Foster for the British title. Queensberry promotions Hot prospect Bourke is a former Southern area champ and has won all 9 of his contests with 6 of them coming by the way of knockout. This contest kicked off Queensberry promotions show Live on BT sports on the undercard card of the Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBA Silver, WBO International, and the Commonwealth Heavyweight title with Beech bringing massive support from his hometown of Walsall.
The first three rounds were very cagey as both fighters tried to feel each other out, Bourke nicked all three rounds finishing stronger in each of them. Bourke started the 4th round strong and caught Beech with some good shots, Beech battled back hard and got some good shots off of his own but it was Bourke’s round. The fifth was a quiet one with both fighters having joy, even round.
The sixth was another quiet one with Beech just looking off the pace and seemed to be struggling against Bourke's southpaw stance. Beech seemed to wake up in the seventh and got some great combinations off and started to look like the old James Beech. Bourke really started to let his hands go in the eighth getting some big shots off to win the round. Beech seemed to be feeling the pace in the ninth as Bourke went through the gears to win the round. Beech continued to press but Bourke countered well and forced Beech back to win the round and the fight.
The judges scored it like this, judge Predrag Aleksic had it 100 to 90 Bourke, Ian John-Lewis had it 99 to 92 Bourke, and Kieran McCann scored it 99 to 91 Bourke. Myself I had it 99 to 92 Bourke
Dexter's Thoughts
As a massive Jamie’s Beech fan this is a hard one to write as in my opinion Beech never really got started in this fight. To me, he just seemed off the pace compared to when he fought Foster a year ago for the British title. I got to say Bourke had a great game plan and countered well from his southpaw stance, but I just didn’t see any of that James Beech skilful pressure he is known for. This was only Beech’s second fight in the last two years since beating Luke Jones for the Midlands area Featherweight title and I’m thinking that may be a big part of this defeat. Beech is only 24 and I’m sure will learn and come back stronger from this defeat and be fighting on the big stage very soon. Hopefully his promoters BcB Promotions can get him on some of their small hall shows when they come back so he can hone his skills and go again for some big titles. I look forward to seeing this talented fighter come back stronger and learn from this defeat and challenge for British and European honors.